Dodge ball: Punter fumbles, then rebounds nicely
Giants punter Matt Dodge fumbles the ball in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions. Lawrence Jackson of the Detroit Lions recovered the fumble. (Oct. 17, 2010) Credit: Getty Images
For the second time this season, Giants rookie punter Matt Dodge caught the snap from center, then inexplicably fumbled before swinging his leg. It happened on his first punt of yesterday's game at his team's 43-yard line and set up Detroit's first touchdown for a 7-0 lead.
Everyone on the Giants' sideline must have been thinking, "We've got to get Dodge the heck out of here!"
But by the end of the Giants' 28-20 win, Dodge had managed to hit his next six punts an average of 46.7 yards, including a couple of boomers at critical times.
When he came out for his first punt after the fumble, Dodge was wearing a receiver's glove on his left hand, and he booted the ball 56 yards to the Lions' 4-yard line after it bounced back from the 1. That changed the field position, along with a 20-yard punt return by Darius Reynaud that left the Giants only 40 yards to go for a tying touchdown.
"It was important for my confidence, and it's great if you're struggling and the next time come up big," Dodge said. "If you don't hit another one, they're going to say, 'We can't use this guy.' To hit one that did that and for it to bounce back, God was smiling down on me."
With 2:29 left and the Giants protecting their lead, Dodge stood at his team's 15-yard line, where a miscue on the snap would have been unthinkable. He caught the ball and sailed the punt 51 yards, hanging it high enough that the coverage team was able to limit the Lions' Stefan Logan to an 8-yard return to his 27.
Dodge exited the field pumping his ungloved hand and was greeted by Brandon Jacobs and several other players with hugs. "That meant a whole lot," Dodge said. "That was a big play in the game. I visualized a great punt and hanging it up there with guys covering. For that to manifest was great. You can breathe."
At the same time, Dodge still must wonder why his nerves have betrayed him twice now.
"I wish I knew," he said. "I can't remember a time I ever fumbled the football in college. It's one of those things you've got to get rid of quick, because if you start doubting you can even catch the ball, you'll have a hard time punting it.
"There's no excuse. It's something I've got to clear up."
